Help me understand quit claim deeds, why they are so prevalent in this particular heavily-foreclosed-upon Washington state neighborhood I am researching, and some other fishy data I have uncovered. [more inside]
posted on Apr 29, 2008 - 9 answers

Is this the worst possible time to become first-time home owners in Portland, Ore., even though we found what looks like a pretty good deal on a condo? This sort of thing scares me, but we just found a place that we like and that seems very reasonably priced. [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2007 - 26 answers

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons. [more inside]
posted on Jan 7, 2007 - 32 answers

My husband plays saxophone. Should this affect whether we buy a house or a condo? I'm interested in anecdotes from musicians, and also from their neighbors. [more inside]
posted on Nov 26, 2006 - 26 answers